Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive

Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
One of the qualities the Chiefs like in new quarterback Alex Smith is his recent history with few turnovers. Smith threw just 10 interceptions in his last 25 games for the San Francisco 49ers, a stat that looks extremely pretty in Kansas City after Chiefs quarterbacks committed 27 turnovers last season.

Smith’s low turnover rate was due at least in part by his reluctance to throw the ball down the field. He was referred to by frustrated 49ers fans as Captain Checkdown for his habit of throwing shorter patterns to receivers for shorter gains.

Smith is in the process of being reprogrammed by Andy Reid, his new coach. Reid doesn’t want to turn Smith into a turnover machine but wants him to be more aggressive, particularly during offseason practice.

“You want to get a feel for the offense now, particularly when you’re new at it (and) if there are close throws, challenge it, see what you can get away with,” Reid said. “If it ends up being an interception, OK, it’s an interception. You learn from it. These are smart guys so they learn from it and once they get into the season, they’re not experimenting with it on game day and they know what they can get away with and know what they can’t.

“It’s a new offense. I would tell any quarterback that comes in new that that’s what you need to do. I’ve told them all that. Go ahead and take your shots and see what you can get away with, within reason. But if it’s a close throw, there are going to be a few of those in the National Football League on game day so you need to know what you can get away with on each route.”

Smith and the other Chiefs quarterbacks were rewarded with several long completions in Wednesday’s practice. Smith had three such plays, including two to Jon Baldwin, while Tyler Bray and Ricky Stanzi had one apiece.

Wednesday’s barrage of big passing plays isn’t necessarily an indication the deep ball is back in the Chiefs’ offense. But since such plays have been scarce for the Chiefs in each of the past two seasons, they’re taking it as an encouraging sign.

“We’re just kind of continuing to press to see what we can do … finding out what we’re capable of,” Smith said. “You’ve got to find that out at some point. This is what the practice field is for.”

Smith was the NFL’s highest-rated passer last season before he was injured, missed a start and then replaced by Colin Kaepernick as San Francisco’s starting quarterback. Smith was completing more than 70 percent of his passes, a high rate, and had just five interceptions.

Still, he had just 30 touchdown passes in his final 25 starts for the 49ers. While that’s a good number as a ratio with his 10 interceptions, it still represents a shortage of big plays.

Smith won’t turn into a mad bomber overnight, if he ever does.

“You want to stay aggressive,” Smith said. “But in the end I’m always trying to make the right read and throw where the defense is telling me to throw. You don’t come out here and predetermine anything, like ‘Oh, I’m going to chuck it deep on this play.’ I’m constantly trying to just trust my eyes and what I’m seeing out there, trust my reads and what I’ve prepared for and then come out here and throw good balls.”

For his part, Reid might be OK with that. But for now, when an interception costs the Chiefs nothing, he would prefer Smith be more of a gambler.

“Everybody is all on board (with Smith),” Reid said. “He’s a good football player. He’s showing that (along with) good leadership. I’m asking him to do a ton of things. He’s handling it. We’ve had an interception here or there but that’s all part of this thing. You’ve got to find out about the offense and you can’t do it with your hands in your pocket. You’ve got to go out and try things and experiment. That’s what he’s doing now.

“It’s just good stuff. He’s staying aggressive with the ball, and I appreciate that.”

The final offseason practice is today. The Chiefs won’t get together again as a group until training camp begins in July at Missouri Western State University.

Smith indicated he may try to throw to some Chiefs receivers during their downtime in an effort to stay sharp.

“We’re heads and shoulder above where we were a couple of months ago,” he said. “But that’s a never-ending thing. I don’t think it’s something like, ‘We’ve got a good feel for each other so we don’t need to work anymore.’ You’re constantly working at it. This is our job, this is our craft. Every single day, it’s coming out here and pushing to get better.”

Alex Smith was pretty damn aggressive in that playoff win over the Saints...

He is still more cautious than many other QBs, but he has changed for the better over the last few years. Watch him many years ago, and he would set up under center with an unsure, uncomfortable expression. In recent years, he's all sly and cocky smiles... seriously. I think it has more to do with him simply learning what's important. He's got the family and security to relax and treat the game as a game. Not to say he doesn't put A+ effort into football, he does. But he no longer battles with the intense pressure that can hinder QBs.

Alex Smith will do whatever is asked of him. that's just the way he is.

Whatever the game plan is, is what he will do. its always been that way. hes a perfect soldier. There is no general in him though.

Really? Jim Harbaugh changed Alex Smith in a lockout shortened offseason. Taught him to protect the ball, and to make sure that every drive ended in a kick.

Alex has a brilliant mind, and he will do whatever Andy, and Doug want him to do. That is the problem with people assume that they know Alex Smith, and then get pissed when people WHO DO know Alex Smith, try to tell you what to expect. If Andy wants Alex throwing more down field, then Alex will do that.

As a guy who has seen every NFL game Alex has played in, and I have concluded there is no ****ing knowing him. I have been right about his performance a few times, but always on the wrong occasion.

I think you are closer than most of the people in here. If Reid wants alex to push the ball against certain coverage, he will. 2009 Alex used to throw to Davis on the post into all hell be damned triple coverage.

I think Alex might be close to his best throwing the ball 40 times a game with a healthy screen and check down game, but you never know with Alex Smith though. So based on my track record with predicting Alex Smith, he is going to do anything but thrive throwing the ball 40 times a game, but will do so later down the road.

There's a quarterback battle going on at New York Jets minicamp, but early impressions indicate incumbent starter Mark Sanchez doesn't have a whole lot to worry about. Considering rookie Geno Smith "hasn't blown anybody away," the team may have "little choice," but to start Sanchez, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York.

I think he's obviously talking about Alex taking riskier throws in practice and seeing what he can get away with. He's talking about throwing guys open and being aggressive against tighter coverage.

In other words, taking more chances.

Being more aggressive isn't just about throwing deep. To be a good NFL QB, sometimes you have to take chances. It sounds like Reid thinks Alex can make passes he's not attempting.

We'll see. I don't have much faith in Smith, but I don't have a problem with Reid trying to improve him as a player like some folks do.

Yup. They're going to let him sink or swim, not hide behind a conservative offense. I really don't care if he sinks, as long as they recognize the problem and move on. Rather that than have mild success because he wasn't taking chances, and convince KC fans that he's the answer.

Yup. They're going to let him sink or swim, not hide behind a conservative offense. I really don't care if he sinks, as long as they recognize the problem and move on. Rather that than have mild success because he wasn't taking chances, and convince KC fans that he's the answer.

Well, Jim Harbaugh succeeded with Alex by playing to his strengths, and not asking him to do anything he didn't think he could do, or do well.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean he can't be more aggressive. Just that Harbs didn't need to take those chances with the team he's got. Bit of a different situation with the Chiefs.

Well, Jim Harbaugh succeeded with Alex by playing to his strengths, and not asking him to do anything he didn't think he could do, or do well.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean he can't be more aggressive. Just that Harbs didn't need to take those chances with the team he's got. Bit of a different situation with the Chiefs.

I agree. I also think that this is the first year since perhaps his second year in the league with Norv Turner, that Alex Smith truly has a Coach, that is 100% dedicated to him. No 49er fan truly understood how Harbaugh felt about Kaepernick heading into that season, and truth be told, after seeing Kaep perform in the preseason in 2011, no one thought that Alex Smith would of had anything to worry about for a couple years. I was on record of saying that the best thing for Kaep would be that he would sit ala aaron rodgers for a few years, develop, and then take over. Obviously, with the kids work ethic, and an unfortunate concussion by Alex Smith, sadly when he was playing the best football of his career, opened that door, and accelerated that process. But, this year, with Andy Reid, the compensation given up, and the early impressions from the coaching staff, players, and gm, clearly this is Alex Smiths team, and clearly, he is not looking over his shoulder no matter how much people want to think that Chase Daniel, or Tyler Bray can be, or are better. Alex Smith is going to have his chance to cement his legacy one way or the other. Was he a product of being a care taker under Jim Harbaugh, or was he a late bloomer needing the guidance of Doug Pederson, Andy Reid, and Brad Childress to unlock the potential that landed him as the number one over all pick 8 years ago.

Lots of questions, lots of opinions, the answers, will be known in 6 months.

I agree. I also think that this is the first year since perhaps his second year in the league with Norv Turner, that Alex Smith truly has a Coach, that is 100% dedicated to him. No 49er fan truly understood how Harbaugh felt about Kaepernick heading into that season, and truth be told, after seeing Kaep perform in the preseason in 2011, no one thought that Alex Smith would of had anything to worry about for a couple years. I was on record of saying that the best thing for Kaep would be that he would sit ala aaron rodgers for a few years, develop, and then take over. Obviously, with the kids work ethic, and an unfortunate concussion by Alex Smith, sadly when he was playing the best football of his career, opened that door, and accelerated that process. But, this year, with Andy Reid, the compensation given up, and the early impressions from the coaching staff, players, and gm, clearly this is Alex Smiths team, and clearly, he is not looking over his shoulder no matter how much people want to think that Chase Daniel, or Tyler Bray can be, or are better. Alex Smith is going to have his chance to cement his legacy one way or the other. Was he a product of being a care taker under Jim Harbaugh, or was he a late bloomer needing the guidance of Doug Pederson, Andy Reid, and Brad Childress to unlock the potential that landed him as the number one over all pick 8 years ago.

Lots of questions, lots of opinions, the answers, will be known in 6 months.

Well, in spite of the fact that CK7 was obviously drafted to take over at some point, I always thought that Harbaugh completely supported Alex .......until the concussion, that is.

Well, in spite of the fact that CK7 was obviously drafted to take over at some point, I always thought that Harbaugh completely supported Alex .......until the concussion, that is.

Yeah, I will always be a die-hard 49ers fan, but Harbaugh is an asshole snake for stabbing Alex in the back. Jim got what he deserved by losing the SB... though we the fans didn't deserve it. (well, some did) Oh well.. won't historically be the first team I adore that is coached by a despicable person.

Yeah, I will always be a die-hard 49ers fan, but Harbaugh is an asshole snake for stabbing Alex in the back. Jim got what he deserved by losing the SB... though we the fans didn't deserve it. (well, some did) Oh well.. won't historically be the first team I adore that is coached by a despicable person.

Yeah, I will always be a die-hard 49ers fan, but Harbaugh is an asshole snake for stabbing Alex in the back. Jim got what he deserved by losing the SB... though we the fans didn't deserve it. (well, some did) Oh well.. won't historically be the first team I adore that is coached by a despicable person.

Holy Shit. My friend, Harbs is a God.

He did not "stab Alex in the back." The Niners moved up in the second round to draft CK7. He was not drafted to be a backup. Everyone, including Alex, knew he was drafted to take over eventually.

As the head coach, his "prime directive," to wax star trek, is to do what was best for the team. It was apparent to everyone that turning it over to Kaep at that point was what was best for the team. I always supported Alex and wanted him to succeed, but, unfortunately, that is part of the game.

What Harbs did for the Niners was incredible, miraculous. And Alex got to ride that wave for a while. Not going to tell you how to feel, but I just cant understand being pissed at Harbs.

He did not "stab Alex in the back." The Niners moved up in the second round to draft CK7. He was not drafted to be a backup. Everyone, including Alex, knew he was drafted to take over eventually.

As the head coach, his "prime directive," to wax star trek, is to do what was best for the team. It was apparent to everyone that turning it over to Kaep at that point was what was best for the team. I always supported Alex and wanted him to succeed, but, unfortunately, that is part of the game.

What Harbs did for the Niners was incredible, miraculous. And Alex got to ride that wave for a while. Not going to tell you how to feel, but I just cant understand being pissed at Harbs.